One Of The Best Military Records In Genealogy Research

If you’re new to genealogy research, you may not be familiar with a CMSR…Compiled Military Service Record. These records can be some of the richest sources of information we can find on our ancestors.

In this blog post, you’ll learn what a CMSR contains and how to obtain it. I’ll also give an example from my family so you can see how valuable this can be.

cannon representing obtaining a cmsr in genealogy research

What Is A CMSR?

A Compiled Military Service Record is one of the foundations of military records. It does cost money to acquire, but the amount of information it can offer is staggering.

Here are some things that may be included:

  • Enlistment dates – find out when your ancestor joined the military and when they were discharged. Where they AWOL at any time?
  • Ranks held – did your ancestor start as a private and work their way up in the ranks?
  • Battles engaged in – discover what battles your ancestor was involved with. Was he a pivotal player?
  • Personal details – these military records may be wonderful substitutes for other missing records, like marriage dates, full names and birth places.

A CMSR can highlight your ancestor’s military service, their sacrifices, achievements, and contributions to history. For anyone tracing their family history, these records serve as an invaluable key to that part of their life. Genealogy research is incomplete without discovering more about your ancestor’s military life.

Obtaining a CMSR

Here’s how you can obtain your ancestor’s CMSR:

  1. National Archives: The National Archives is a primary repository for CMSRs, offering access to records spanning from the Revolutionary War to the Philippine Insurrection. Visit their website here or contact them directly to begin your search.
  2. Online Resources: Several online databases provide access to digitized CMSRs. Websites like Fold3 and Ancestry.com may have extensive collections for you to explore.

According to the National Archives, “Beginning in the 1890s, the War Department created the Compiled Military Service Record (CMSR) to document the military service of Volunteer soldiers. Transcribed from original muster and pay rolls, regimental returns, descriptive books, hospital rolls, and other records, the CMSRs were intended to permit more rapid and efficient checking of military and medical records in connection with claims for pensions and other veterans’ benefits.

The War Department initially created CMSRs for Union veterans of the Civil War and later expanded the records to include state Volunteers from other conflicts. As a result, the National Archives now holds CMSRs for Volunteer soldiers from the Revolutionary War through the Philippine Insurrection.”1

My Family’s CMSRs

I have a CMSR for two ancestors, one on my mom’s side (John Dunahoo) and one on my dad’s (Andrew Bothell). John’s packet is taking a while to look through because it is over 100 pages long. Andrew’s is much shorter at 15 pages. He was the husband of Susanna Krewson, the couple I wrote about in this previous blog post.

Andrew’s record shows he was a Corporal in Company H, 138th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Infantry. He enlisted on 16 August 1862 in Yardleyville, Bucks County, PA; mustered in on 26 August 1862 in Harrisburg, PA; and mustered out on 23 June 1865 near Washington, D.C.

Civil War Veterans Card for Andrew Bothel
Civil War Veterans Card File2

Wikipedia has an enlightening article documenting the battles this regiment participated in during their years of service. This included the Battle of Cold Harbor, a fight that occurred near Mechanicsville, Virginia from 31 May to 12 June 1864. I drive past this exit every week on my travels around Richmond, Virginia, and can’t imagine the horrors he witnessed.

This battle held particular significance in Andrew Bothel’s life as it was where he suffered his injury.

Casualty Sheet for Andrew Bothel for being wounded in Civil War.
Casualty Sheet3

A musket ball injured Andrew on June 1st, 1864, and on June 6th he transferred from a field hospital to an Army hospital in Alexandria, Virginia. For a map showing Andrew’s unit’s position on that day, check out the image here.

Below is a hospital card detailing his battle wounds and vital information about his nearest relative…his wife Susanna Bothel who lived in Newtown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. This card provides one more piece of evidence of their marriage.

Hospital Card for Andrew Bothel.
Hospital Card4

His muster roll cards list him as a patient at a general hospital in Alexandria until January/February 1865 when he entered Haddington Hospital in Philadelphia. According to the website Civil War-Era Historical Sites in Philadelphia, the hospital occupied the Bull’s Head Tavern Building and accommodated around 200 beds. Andrew mustered out near Washington, D.C. in June 1865. The government owed him $14.06. At that point, he faced a trip home of over 150 miles to Newtown to rejoin his wife and children.

The National Archives lists medical records among the wonderful collections they have. That is where I will look next to see if they have anything further on Andrew.

Finally

As we research out ancestors, there are many free resources and some that come with a fee. We have to choose what we are willing to spend money on. Without a doubt, the information you can find in a CMSR is worth every penny. I look forward to ordering again for other ancestors.

13 Nov 2022 UPDATE – I wrote to NARA to see if they had hospital or medical records. Within the week they were kind enough to send me 4 hospital cards they had for Andrew. A musket ball severely wounded him on 1 June 1864, hitting his right hip. He had recovered enough to receive a furlough on 22 June 1864 and returned to duty on 24 March 1865, about 3 weeks before the end of the Civil War. Another takeaway from this…you won’t get what you don’t ask for…so ask!

Genealogy Tip: Take the time to transcribe all records, but especially CMSRs. It may seem tedious, but well worth it if you find that one nugget of information you need.

Do you need assistance with military records? Contact me and I’ll help you fill out that part of your ancestor’s story.

Schedule My Call

1 National Archives (https://www.archives.gov/research/military/army/compiled-military-service-records: accessed 22 October 2022).

2 “Pennsylvania, U.S., Veterans Card Files, 1775-1916,” images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/62200/images/3182_1784?pId=187135: accessed 31 October 2022), card for Andrew Bothel, image 2403 of 45794; citing Pennsylvania National Guard Veteran’s Card Files, 1867-1921, Series Number 19.135, Pennsylvania State Archives, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

3 Compiled service record, Andrew Bothel, Cpl., Co. H, Reg’t 138th PA Infantry; Carded Records, Civil War; Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General’s Office, 1780s-1917; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

4 Ibid.

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3 Reasons Why Census Records Are Significant In Genealogy Research

On your journey to discover your ancestors, you come across many different record types. And out of all those records few are as significant as census records. They are the backbone of genealogy research.

In this blog post, I’ll explain three reasons census records are important and a look at an ancestral couple of mine.

graphic with map and people representing the census in my genealogy research

A Glimpse Back To A Moment In Time

Census records provide a snapshot of individuals and families during specific years. They capture valuable information such as names, ages, occupations, relationships, and sometimes even details like birthplaces and marital status.

By analyzing these records, you can transport yourself back to a particular moment in history, finding out what it was like for your ancestors to live in that place and time. You can also see who lived in their neighborhood, perhaps family members or close associates.

  • Discover who your ancestors lived next to and interacted with daily.
  • Find out if your ancestors lived in multi-generational households or with extended family.
  • Did family or extended family live nearby?
  • Explore the diversity of your ancestors’ communities.
  • Identify any notable figures or interesting characters that lived nearby.

Migrations Patterns

Census records often document the movement of families and individuals over time. Tracking changes in where they lived across multiple census years can help identify migration patterns. This information is invaluable in our genealogy research for understanding how and why ancestors moved.

Analyzing migration patterns can also lead to the discovery of previously unknown connections between family members and reveal a bigger story than what we knew.

  • Trace the routes your ancestors took as they moved from place to place.
  • Understand the economic or social conditions that prompted your ancestors to relocate.
  • Discover patterns, such as moving towards urban centers for work or rural areas for farming.
  • Connect with distant relatives who might have migrated along the same paths.

Giving Context

Census records go beyond just names and ages. They also tell us about what our ancestors did for a living, how much education they had, and whether they owned property. This information helps us get a clearer picture of their lives.

  • Learn about the industries and trades your ancestors were involved in.
  • Discover the educational opportunities available in their time and location.
  • Gain knowledge into your ancestors’ social and economic standing.
  • Understand the lifestyle and daily challenges they might have faced.

My 2x Great-Grandparents – Andrew Bothel and Susanna Krewson

I’ve been writing about Susanna Krewson Bothel, my 2x great-grandmother, in my ProGen Study Group assignments as the Krewson line has been my focus for the last few months. The Krewson surname is on my dad’s mother’s side of the family and first appears through the marriage of Susanna Krewson and Andrew Bothel.

Marriage record from the original Bucks County register1:
Marriage record of Susanna Krewson and Andrew Bothel.

If you’re having fun with the handwriting, it reads: “At Newtown, on Thursday evening the 26th of August 1847, Andrew Bothel to Susanna Krewsen, daughter of Mr. John Krewsen, and all of Newtown Bucks Co. Pa. 35 cts. Returned till better off!”

Read that last part again…”35 cts [cents] – Returned till better off!” Most couples were paying about $2 to get married. Andrew and Susanna were so poor they paid 35 cents and had it returned to them.

1850 Census

They first appear as a family in the 1850 census when Andrew and Susanna reside in Northampton Township, Bucks County (next to Newtown). His occupation… a farmer. He didn’t own land, but being surrounded by men who owned a lot of it, he likely worked for one of them. They had two sons at this point, Alexander age 3, and Charles age 1.

1850 census record of Andrew Bothel household including Susanna and sons Alexander and Charles.
1850 U.S. Census2
1860 Census

In 1860 the family was located in Wrightstown Township and Andrew was a day laborer. Each time they moved it wasn’t very far, but perhaps it was to where Andrew could find work.

Bucks County, PA township map.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/maps/pa/county/bucks/usgs/

They added three more children, Samuel age 8, Mary Jane age 6, and Frank age 3 (my great-grandfather). But where were Alexander and Charles? They were no longer with the rest of the family. [The quality of this census record is poor and would not show up well.]

Charles lived with a man named John Tomlinson, Jr. in Northampton Township. The census record says he was a “taken boy.”

1860 census showing Charles Bothel in the home of John Tomlinson, Jr.
1860 U.S. Census3

While it’s difficult to find a true definition of what this means, it seems to be a regional term meaning a child taken from a poor family to live and work elsewhere for room and board. Alexander also seemed to be in that same situation, although the census record for him in 1860 is so faint, it’s only a guess.

1870 Census

In 1870 the family was finally back together again in Cecil County, Maryland, about 100 miles away from Bucks County.

1870 census showing the household members of Andrew Bothell.
1870 U.S. Census4

Andrew was a farm tenant and his sons Alexander and Charles were farm workers. Andrew still owned no land, but the value of his personal estate had increased from $150 in 1860 to $1200.

1880 Census

After another 10 years, Andrew was still a farmer in 1880 in Rising Sun, Cecil, Maryland with Frank in the house as a farmer and Charles living right next door with his wife and children. I can’t find any records showing Andrew ever owned land. As I travel I95 every week, I drive right past the exit for Rising Sun. Perhaps I can see the land he worked (or at least I’d like to think so).

Andrew’s Death and Update

Andrew Bothel died on 1 May 1881 in Rising Sun. According to Find A Grave his grave is located in Cecil County, Maryland, but later moved to Chester County, Pennsylvania.5 That’s a mystery just begging to be solved. Susanna’s death date is still unknown to me.

Update: I obtained Andrew’s military service record from the Civil War. Update. You can read about it here.

Finally

Genealogy research always includes census records, but I hope you see the enormous value in analyzing them thoroughly. There is so much value to census records and they are often the stepping stone to discovering other record sets.

Genealogy Tip: Census records are critical to your genealogy research. Try and find your ancestor in every census throughout their life and be sure to scour the few pages before and after. Do you see surnames you recognize? If it’s been awhile since you’ve found them, take another look. You often find things you missed the first time around.

What’s your latest genealogy research project? I’d love to help. Click below to get started.

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1 “U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970,” database with images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61048/ : accessed 2 Jul 2022), Pennsylvania > Newtown > Presbyterian Church > Baptisms, Births, Marriages, Deaths > 1838-1888, image 128 of 224, Marriage Record #74 for Susanna Krewson and Andrew Bothell; citing Church Registers, Presbyterian Historical Society.

2 1850 U.S. census, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, Northampton Township, p. 81b, dwelling 12, family 14, Andrew Bodle household; image Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8054/images/4191082-00170?pId=568379: accessed 30 October 2022); citing National Archives microfilm publication M432, roll 759.

3 1860 U.S. census, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, Northampton Township, p. 452 (stamped), dwelling 164, family 165, Charles Bodle in John Tomlinson Jr. household; digital image Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7667/images/4288516_00029?pId=1679652: accessed 30 October 2022); citing National Archives microfilm publication M653, roll 1083.

4 1870 U.S. census, Cecil County, Maryland, population schedule, Rock Spring Post Office, p. 36 (penned), dwelling 246, family 246, Andrew Bothell; digital image Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7163/images/4269471_00633?pId=23451441: accessed 30 October 2022), image 36 of 36; NARA microfilm publication M593, roll 583.

5 Ancestry, Find A Grave, database with images (www.findagrave.com: accessed 30 October 2022), memorial 80556544, Andrew Bothell (1826-1881), created by Johnny Mac, Union Cemetery, Nottingham, Chester County, Pennsylvania.

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How To Use A Locality Guide In Your Genealogy Research

As a genealogist, one of the best tools you can create is a locality guide. This guide can become your go-to resource when research ancestors from a specific area. It saves time, keeps your research organized, and helps you discover resources you might have otherwise missed.

In this blog post, you’ll learn what a locality guide is, why its useful, and how you can create and use one effectively.

locality guide for genealogy research

There are some tools in genealogy that may seem counterintuitive. A locality guide is one. By investing a little time upfront, this guide will set you up for more efficient and effective research.

Let’s see what this is all about…

What Is A Locality Guide?

A locality guide is a comprehensive resource about a specific geographic area relevant to your genealogy research question. It includes information about available records, repositories, historical context, and other details that can help you in your research.

Now I know we don’t want to slow down…we want to dive head-first into the records. But if you just take a minute and complete this step, you’ll find it will pay off in the end.

Why Use A Locality Guide?

There are several reasons why a locality guide is invaluable:

  1. Efficiency: Instead of searching for information each time you need it, you have all the important details in one place.
  2. Completeness: Having a locality guide makes sure you don’t overlook any resource that may help your research.
  3. Context: Knowing the historical and social context of the area can help you understand more about your ancestors’ lives.
  4. Organization: Keeps your research organized and focused.

How To Create A Locality Guide

Creating a locality guide may seem daunting at first, but you don’t have to complete it all in one sitting. Here’s a step-by-step approach to creating your own:

1. Identify the Locality

Start with a specific area where your ancestors lived. This could be a town, county, or even a parish, depending on the records you’re investigating.

2. Gather General Information

Begin by collecting general information about the locality:

  • Geography: Understand the physical layout, neighboring towns, and important landmarks.
  • History: Learn about significant historical events and migration patterns to and from that area.
  • Economy: What industries or occupations were common? This can give clues about your ancestors’ lives.
3. Identify Key Record Types

Next, identify the types of records that are available for the locality:

  • Vital Records: Birth, marriage, and death records.
  • Census Records: Population schedules and other census-related documents.
  • Church Records: Baptisms, marriages, burials, and other documents.
  • Land Records: Deeds, grants, and other property-related documents.
  • Probate Records: Wills, inventories, and estate documents.
  • Military Records: Draft registrations, service records, and pension files.
4. Locate Repositories and Resources

Identify where these records are held:

  • Local Archives: County or municipal archives, historical societies, and local libraries.
  • State and National Repositories: State archives, national archives, and specialized repositories.
  • Online Databases: Websites like Ancestry, FamilySearch, and MyHeritage.
5. Understand Record Availability

Determine the availability and accessibility of these records:

  • Indexes and Transcriptions: Are there indexes or transcriptions available?
  • Digital Collections: Are the records digitized and available online?
  • Physical Access: If not online, how can you access the physical records?
6. Gather Historical and Social Context

Include information that provides context to the records:

  • Local Histories: Books, articles, or websites detailing the history of the area.
  • Maps: Historical maps showing changes over time.
  • Directories: City directories, business directories, and other types of directories.
7. Create Your Guide

Now, organize all this information into a cohesive guide. Here’s a suggested format:

  1. Introduction: Brief overview of the locality.
  2. Geography and History: Summarize key geographical and historical details.
  3. Record Types and Availability: List each record type, where it can be found, and any notes on access.
  4. Repositories and Resources: Detailed information on where to find records, both online and offline.
  5. Contextual Information: Include historical maps, local histories, and other context.

Use headings, bullet points, and short paragraphs to keep your guide clear and easy to navigate. Consider adding images, screenshots, and links to online resources for added value.

Tips for Effective Locality Guides

Here are a few additional tips to make your locality guide even more effective:

  • Be Specific: Make the guide work for you. Tailor it to your specific research needs. Focus on the records and resources most relevant to your ancestors.
  • Stay Organized: Use a consistent format and keep your guide well-organized. This makes it easy to find information quickly.
  • Use Technology: Use digital tools to create and store your guide. Software like Evernote, OneNote, or Word can help keep everything in one place.
  • Share: If you’re part of a genealogy group, consider sharing your locality guides. If others have created guides that you need, you won’t have to start from scratch.

An Example From Bucks County, Pennsylvania

One of my favorite places to start a locality guide is at FamilySearch. If you go to their catalog and search by place, you’ll find a list of records available online and in person. An in-depth blog post on searching can be found here.

Since I have been working on my Krewson/Kroesen line, I decided to do my locality guide for Bucks County, Pennsylvania. That’s where most of my dad’s maternal line started.

picture of a house in Bucks County, PA for my locality guide.

Some Items To Include:

  • Quick Facts – Bucks County was one of the three original counties in Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1682 by William Penn.1 Add any tidbits of information that may be interesting and come in handy later.
  • Online Research Guide – no guide is complete without a link to the FamilySearch Wiki: https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Bucks_County,_Pennsylvania_Genealogy – you might also include Cyndi’s List, GenWeb, and The Family History Guide.
  • Maps & Geography – Library of Congress map collection, David Rumsey map collection, and the Map of Pennsylvania County Formations. Maps are wonderful to use for any project.
  • County Histories and Reference Books – Google Books has a wonderful assortment of county histories for Bucks County. A free e-book of Bucks County History can be found here.
  • Laws and Government – it’s hard to understand the circumstances of your ancestors if you don’t know the laws that were in place at the time. A great place to start is the Legislative Reference Bureau of Pennsylvania.
  • Archives, Societies, and Libraries – a handy quick list of genealogical and historical societies, libraries, museums, etc. Don’t forget to include hours of operations, address, phone numbers, directions, parking information, etc.
  • Record Loss – was the region you are researching a burned county? Is there any record loss? Write this information down now, so you’ll have it for the future and won’t have to look again.
  • Record Collections – you might include bible records, cemetery records, census records, military, land, probate records, and vital records (birth, marriage, death).

My locality guide was initially nine pages, but continues to grow every time I find a new resource for my Bucks County ancestors.

Finally

Your locality guide can cover a state, county, or city in the U.S. or any other country. It’s adaptable to the specific needs of your project. Plus, you can update it as you discover new information.

Take the time to make this guide. It will make you a more efficient and effective researcher.

Genealogy Tip: A locality guide is a living document. As you find records or resources in the future add those to your locality guide to make it more complete over time.

If you need some help tracing ancestors in a new place and time, I’d love to help. Call now for your 30-minute no-obligation consultation.

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1 Visit Bucks County Pennsylvania (https://www.visitbuckscounty.com/press-room/facts-figures/ : accessed 5 Sep 2022).

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